Inter Miami want to avoid a historic loss while the host Columbus Crew look to grab a milestone victory for coach Caleb Porter when they play Saturday.
Porter can become the 11th MLS coach to reach 100 victories and at the same time the Crew (9-12-7, 34 points) can keep their flickering playoff hopes alive.
They are 10th in the Eastern Conference, six points out of the final playoff spot with six matches left.
“We’ve been very good recently at home — four wins in a row,” said Porter, who has a 99-84-72 (.529) record and two MLS Cup titles — last season with the Crew and 2015 with Portland. “Every game from here on out is a must-win and we’re going to focus on Miami.”
The situation is more dire for Miami (9-14-5, 32 points). The Herons followed a 5-0-1 streak by losing five straight games, the past three by 1-0 scores. They have been outscored 12-1 during the skid.
“This team can get five wins on the bounce; we’ve seen it, we’ve done it, so this team can flip it,” Miami coach Phil Neville said.
The setbacks have worn on Neville, who after the tying goal against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday was disallowed by VAR, called for an investigation because, as he claimed, “We’ve been cheated again.”
He was fined by the league and Thursday he issued an apology.
“I used the wrong word — cheat — which should never be used towards officials or in games of football,” he said. “I really want to move on from it and nip it in the bud.”
Since a 1-0 loss at Miami in their first-ever meeting on Sept. 11, the Crew have two wins, a loss and a tie but know time is running out to defend their title.
–Field Level Media
Inter Miami want to avoid a historic loss while the host Columbus Crew look to grab a milestone victory for coach Caleb Porter when they play Saturday.
Porter can become the 11th MLS coach to reach 100 victories and at the same time the Crew (9-12-7, 34 points) can keep their flickering playoff hopes alive.
They are 10th in the Eastern Conference, six points out of the final playoff spot with six matches left.
“We’ve been very good recently at home — four wins in a row,” said Porter, who has a 99-84-72 (.529) record and two MLS Cup titles — last season with the Crew and 2015 with Portland. “Every game from here on out is a must-win and we’re going to focus on Miami.”
The situation is more dire for Miami (9-14-5, 32 points). The Herons followed a 5-0-1 streak by losing five straight games, the past three by 1-0 scores. They have been outscored 12-1 over the past five games.
“This team can get five wins on the bounce; we’ve seen it, we’ve done it, so this team can flip it,” Miami coach Phil Neville said.
The setbacks have worn on Neville, who after the tying goal against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday was disallowed by VAR, called for an investigation because, as he claimed, “We’ve been cheated again.”
He was fined by the league and Thursday he issued an apology.
“I used the wrong word — cheat — which should never be used towards officials or in games of football,” he said. “I really want to move on from it and nip it in the bud.”
Since a 1-0 loss at Miami in their first-ever meeting on Sept. 11, the Crew have two wins, a loss and a tie but know time is running out to defend their title.
–Field Level Media
